Dear Dr. Gott: My 82-year-old mother has been diagnosed with panic disorder and anxiety. She is currently taking 100 milligrams of Ativan and 100 milligrams of Zoloft. When she takes these in the morning, she is wiped out and cannot seem to function until around 6 p.m. Could the dosages be too high for her? She has always been sensitive with medications, so I am wondering if, by the time 6 p.m. comes around, the medications are out of her system. Perhaps this is why she feels better later in the day. She doesn't have a problem sleeping. She is physically healthy otherwise and does not want to nap all day. It is frustrating for both of us.

Reply: Ativan is used to treat anxiety disorders. It is also unavailable in 100-milligram tablets. At that dosage, she would have to be taking 50 of the highest-dosage pills (two milligrams) every day. I highly doubt this is the situation. Perhaps she is taking one milligram daily. This is something that you need to clarify in case of an emergency. Knowing proper prescription names, dosages, etc., is vital. The same holds true for her Zoloft.

Zoloft is prescribed for panic disorders and as an antidepressant. It is available in 25-, 50- and 100-milligram tablets. A general initial dose would be 25 milligrams per day for the first week, with graduation to 50 milligrams following that. Periodic evaluation by a physician would determine whether more is needed. Your mother could certainly be (and in my opinion, most likely is) overmedicated.

Side effects from the two medications are similar. These include confusion, agitation, drowsiness, dizziness, balance/coordination problems, weakness, nausea and changes in appetite. Ativan carries the very serious side effect of seizures, and Zoloft may (usually during initial treatment) worsen depression and increase thoughts of suicide or bodily harm. Zoloft can interact adversely with Ativan.

I believe now is the time to sit down with your mother's physician and psychiatrist to explain what is going on and express your concerns that she is being overmedicated. If they are unwilling to listen, perhaps it is also time to find a new psychiatrist who will re-evaluate her and, I hope, reduce her medications.

To give you related information, I am sending you copies of my Health Reports "Medical Specialists" and "Mental and Emotional Illness''.

Other readers who would like copies should send a self-addressed, stamped number 10 envelope and $2 (per report) to Newsletter, PO Box 167, Wickliffe, Ohio 44092. Be sure to mention the title(s).

Dear Dr. Gott: I read in your articles that Vicks VapoRub is good for many problems. I agree. I would like to know if store-brand mentholatum would work as well. The ingredients are practically the same.

Reply: Absolutely. It works just as well, and it is cheaper. Go ahead and use the store brand.

Dr. Gott is a retired physician and the author of 'Dr. Gott's No Flour, No Sugar Diet' and 'Dr. Gott's No Flour, No Sugar Cookbook'. Contact him c/o United Media, 200 Madison Avenue, fourth floor, New York, New York 10016.